New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-03
Betting i TOWNSHIP FOR WOLVES
ALWELY cIRcLE.HUM N ILLINOIS.
FIFTEEN GRAY WOLVES KILLED. TWENTY-FIVE
sCANPER AWAY.
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sCANFER AWAY.
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TUsCorA. H.. Feb 2 The grandest wolf hunt that has
place In Illinois occurred In Douglas County
to-day. Nearly 1000 hunters took part in tho drive
Fifteen wolves were killed and about twenty five made
their escape through lines Tho whole Of Sargent
township was surrounded by circle Of spor:smen from
Douglas Coles Edgar vcrmIion and Moultrc countless
with nor inconsidorabc detachment from Indiana Tie
township lies between tho Illinois Midland aud
the Indianapolis and Springfield railroads aud
within comparatively easy driving distance OF
Oakland. Hur-eboro Brockton. Newman. ruscoln
Toona Arcoa Matoon Paris and several other growing
towns II was surrounded by four companies each com
manded by captains The circle formed by the hunters
wa. twenty miles in diameter. Tho east linc which
proved 10 be the weakest extended from BrocNon To
Newman along the Little Amboy River. The north lnc
from Newman Brushy Fork. was tho strongest The
west Inc from Newman to Hobrooks farm, contained
the greatest number Of hunters The rules prohibited
guns but hunters asked 10 appear on foot with
ciubs and dog- Fully onc-fourth OF the
men were mounted and It this violation OF the rule
that afforded the wolves opportunities TO escape
Atga. m the different captains rnloped mp and down
the lines tried TO I'll up gaps and distribute crowds and
reminded all OF the responsibilities on their shoulder&
The bcaters were drawn all sorts aud conditions Of
men Some we're large landowners. others sportsmcn
pure and simple and others or less Interested resi-
dents In the neighborhood The east line advanced with
a mighty shout which could he distinctly heard oy
members Of the line fully eight miles distant Inc
lung power Of the hcaers must have been IeinaIkae
they kept mp the yell almost ncessanty Tor over Two
hours As a matter OF sklfui gcncraiship tho captains
erred In allowing this There were 300 dog, ia Tue hunt
and In the first fifteen minutes a dozen WOW "clc
beaten NJ. two OF which killed The round up wa,
arranged Ia take place on Andy Gwynns fhiln' ana
with deafcnng shouts the circle gradually contracted
pack Of fve wolves discovered by the east CORPS
The wolves not the ordinary prairie woiNes' on
OF the timber gray species, averaging each
In weight fully hfty pounds aud looking not unlike ihgo
shcsp dogs. Ihe five In question were almost "lhIn
range Of shotgun, but they did not remain stationary
many seconds. Right at the southeast corner was
between the two lines OF fully 100 yards and The wolves
made rush for II at lightning speed. Inc
the breach, aud for minute the excitement
was intense Then the party OF five were seen ghlop
ing the brow Of hill outside the lines, howl o
Indignation went up from the ranks Dogs were cursed
and kicked and every saying that he hah hau
the organizing of the drive the gap would not have been
whore II was.
But IL 10 cry "spIt milk" -Four
wolves succeeded In getting through. three being killed
The other eight dashed AZ weak place IN the nOrh me
and three were killed with clubs, the rest scaf1peflng
through Tonight nothing Is talked OF In this section o
tie state but the hunt